THEIR FEED AND THEIR FEET. 75 



when crib-biters are oh long, slow, regular work, they 

 crib less. We have seen many cases in which crib- 

 biters being debarred from their habit, have fallen 

 away in flesh, and others in which the animal has 

 been much more liable to colic ; and we think that 

 in many crib-biters the habit is necessary to the 

 health of the animal. We usually see crib-biters 

 thin, but we think that proceeds more from a dis- 

 eased action of the digestive organs than from the 

 effect of the habit, and their being poor is no proof 

 that crib-biting makes them so. When a crib-biter 

 continues in good health and condition, if he can be 

 kept apart from other horses, we see no reason why 

 he should be debarred from cribbing; and, indeed, 

 we think that, generally speaking, it would prove in- 

 jurious to him." 



I would advise a trial of corn on the cob for crib- 

 bing horses. This gives them honest gnawing and 

 less excuse, need, or desire for that which works mis- 

 chief. Besides, this form of diet is in other ways 

 good for whatever ails them. It is eaten slowly, 

 masticated thoroughly, and will, therefore, be more 

 perfectly digested — that is, the quantity that can 

 possibly be digested ; or, in other words, the amount 

 suited to their needs. The amount necessary 

 will be much less in this form than if shelled for 

 them. Little hay (if nice, clean straw is available) 

 with this feed for the horse of light work is a good 

 rule. In nothing I have said have I designed to en- 

 courage insufficient feeding. Every creature that is 

 permitted to live should be furnished with 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



